The undergraduate and graduate certificates in Creativity and Innovation are designed to help educators develop the innovative skills necessary to meet dynamic challenges across many creative fields. Creativity, coming up with an original idea or process, and innovation, implementing the original idea or process, is are required critical and integral skills to gain competitive advantage in today's fast-paced, dynamic working environment.
Innovative and entrepreneurial organizations that harness and nurture the creative potential of their human resources are leaders in their respective fields. This innovation certificate provides the most contemporary knowledge and skills needed to form innovation educators and education leaders.
Upon completion of the Creativity and Innovation certificate program, students will have formed an in-depth understanding of creativity, enhanced communication, creative problem solving, and how these may be applied to practical situations that further their workplace culture. Participants will use their newly enhanced creative thinking skills to reflect critically on existing workplace practices and express coherent and cogent ideas and suggestions for continuous improvement.
The Creativity & Innovation Programs within the School of Education offer students unique access to some of the world’s leading experts, researchers, and authors in the field of creativity and innovation. These programs are closely affiliated with the School's Drexel/Torrance Center for Creativity and Innovation, and the Freddie Reisman Center for Translational Research in Creativity and Motivation (FRC). The Centers are co-directed by Emerita Professor and School's founder, Dr. Fredricka Reisman, and Dr. Larry Keiser, Program Director for the School's Creativity & Innovation Programs, both of whom are housed in the School of Education.
The Torrance Center promotes creativity using programs that cultivate skills in creative thinking, innovative leadership practices, and problem-solving techniques. It also provides students with opportunities to showcase their projects and research both within and beyond Drexel University.
The FRC plays a role identifying the most significant research in creativity and motivation spanning various disciplines, including medical science, organizational management, engineering, psychology, and education. This research is then translated into accessible language and practical activities that can be applied across diverse fields, benefiting educators, corporate trainers, students, parents, as well as business and education leaders. Program participants enhance their creative thinking ability, innovative leadership skills, and motivation techniques. Furthermore, they employ problem- finding and problem-solving strategies, and end users of the FRC's resources provide valuable feedback on their experiences and suggest new areas for research addressing gaps that may arise during the application of these resource.
The Certificate in Creativity & Innovation’s coursework, and the resources and opportunities provided by the Torrance and FRC Centers, equips students with the tools and the creative thought processes necessary to enhance their ability to generate innovative ideas. This process teaches them to envision the unexplored and, ultimately, inspires and stimulates their creativity.
The Creativity and Innovation graduate certificate program consists of 18 credits of courses that blend robust theoretical foundations with practical applications. These courses empower students to gain acquire skills essential for applying creativity effectively in their chosen career paths.
The Graduate Certificate in Creativity and Innovation curriculum and course descriptions may be found in the Drexel University Course Catalog.
The undergraduate certificate in Creativity and Innovation is comprised of 18 to 20 credits of courses rooted in robust theoretical foundations and practical application. This program is designed to enable dedicated students to attain expertise in the field of creativity.
The Undergraduate Certificate in Creativity and Innovation curriculum and course descriptions may be found in the Drexel University Course Catalog.
Admissions Criteria
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (graduate degree GPA will be considered along with the undergraduate GPA)
- Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 may be considered on a provisional basis
Required Documents
- A completed application
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
- Two letters of recommendation (professional or academic)
- Personal Essay of 500 to 750 words, describing your interest in the program, specifically:
- How the program relates to your previous educational activities
- If changing course, why you are moving in a new direction with your educational goals
- How the program relates to your current line of work
- How you plan to apply the program to your future goals
- Resume
- Additional requirements for International Students
An interview may be requested.
- Certificate Level: Graduate
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree
- Certificate Type: Post-Baccalaureate
- Financial Aid Eligibility: Not aid eligible
How to Apply to the Creativity & Innovation Certificate Program at Drexel University
If you are interested in applying to either the undergraduate or graduate certificate in Creativity and Innovation, please review the admissions criteria noted for your specific program and follow the application procedures.